Ceylon Snakehead (Channa orientalis)

Ceylon Snakehead Channa orientalis
Name	Ceylon Snakehead
Name Lat.	Channa orientalis
Family	Snakeheads
Family lat.	Channidae
Order	Labyrinth Fishes
Order lat.	Anabantiformes
Origin	Sri Lanka
Habitat	Rivers, floodplains
Diet	Carnivore
pH	5.0-7.5
Behavior	Predatory
Keeping	Individual
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Mouthbrooder
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	8-12 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10-15 cm
Temperature	16-24 °C
Hardness	1-10 °dH
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	3.9"-5.9"
Temperature	61-75 °F
Hardness	18-178 ppm
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Ceylon snakeheads are found exclusively in southwestern Sri Lanka. They live in the shallow, slow-flowing waters and floodplains of the tropical rainforest, with dense underwater vegetation, hidden among roots, stones and fallen leaves.

Maintenance

They need an aquarium with dense planting, with many hiding places such as stone caves (e.g. perforated rock) and roots, as well as free swimming space. A dark sand substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond tree or beech leaves) and strongly dimmed light (floating plant cover) is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They are voracious predators. The diet consists of insect larvae, shrimp, mysis, small crabs, crab meat, and fish, which is readily accepted even frozen, or a commercial frozen food mix supplemented with live earthworms. Dry food is occasionally accepted, but should not be the main diet.

Only feed as much as will be eaten immediately (in 10 minutes or less). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and avoids deficiency symptoms

Behaviour and compatibility

Juveniles are compatible with each other, adults are aggressive within the species. In a larger tank, structured with many hiding places, pair keeping is also possible. They can be socialized well with calm, large fish, which they do not regard as prey

In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements to the water condition and water temperature may be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The females are thicker than the males at spawning time, which are more intensely colored.

Reproduction and breeding

They are mouth brooders in which the male takes over the brood care (paternal mouth brooders). After mating, the eggs float to the water surface and are collected by the male for mouth brood care. After 3-4 days, the fry are released and swim freely. Unfertilized eggs are released by the female, which sink to the bottom and serve as food for the fry

These must be fed adequately several times a day with cyclops or Artemia nauplii, otherwise they will eat each other. Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, as the fry are easy prey.

Important

They have an additional respiratory organ called the labyrinth (suprabranchial organ) with which they breathe atmospheric air and can suffocate if this is not possible

Since they like to jump, the aquarium must be well covered.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF